To take action : 5–15 min · Depending on your devices and accounts
That voice on the phone sounded exactly like your boss
A convincing voice or video does not authenticate a request.
PatchYourself · Last editorial revision : · Sources
Fictional example: an everyday situation
A caller asks Morgan for money while imitating a relative’s voice. Morgan hangs up and calls the number already saved for that person. The request was not theirs.
The problem
Tools can imitate voices, generate images or write convincing messages. Quality varies, but spelling mistakes and visual defects are not sufficient ways to identify a scam.
The mechanisms often remain familiar: create urgency, gain trust and request a payment, code or installation. AI can help stage a story without being part of every fraud.
What to do now
Step 1: Verify the request, not just appearances
If a relative, adviser or colleague requests an unusual action, contact them through another known channel. Use a saved number or one found independently of the message.
Step 2: Resist pressure
Take time to verify before transferring money or approving something. A request to keep a financial instruction secret or bypass the usual process calls for an extra check.
Step 3: Agree on a rule with family
Agree to call back through known contact details when an unexpected money request arrives. A shared phrase can help but does not replace verification: it too could be disclosed.
Step 4: Respond if you already acted
Contact your bank promptly through its official channel if a payment is involved. Keep messages and transaction references. Be wary of people promising to recover funds in return for another payment. See the emergency guide.
Go further
Relationships built over time
Some scams start with friendly or romantic exchanges before financial proposals. Testimonials, profit dashboards and videos can be fabricated. Their quantity does not prove they are independent.
Practice one simple response
Ask: “What action am I being asked to take, and how can I verify its origin without using this message?” This remains useful even as fake-content techniques change.
Sources and verification
References used for this revision. Menus and offers can change; consult the provider’s help for your version.